Martínez de Hoz & Rueda is the dominant legal adviser in the Argentine oil-and-gas industry and has established itself as market reference point on all aspects of oil-and-gas law - including exploration, production, transportation, distribution and marketing. With offices in the capital of Buenos Aires, as well as the country’s shale gas hub, Neuquén, the firm is the first port of call for domestic and international players seeking support on hydrocarbon concessions and renegotiations, unconventional hydrocarbon operations, and oil-and-gas infrastructure development (including pipelines and LNG terminals). A large portfolio of retained global oil-and-gas players also rely on the team for assistance in complex multi-contract, multi-party disputes and arbitrations. The practice’s network of international clients has seen it step beyond its core Argentine market and take on work in other Latin American jurisdictions, including Peru and Uruguay. The practice is co-led by a formidable team of senior oil-and-gas specialists that includes José Martínez De Hoz, a market authority on hydrocarbons law and related arbitration matters; the vastly experienced energy lawyer Pablo Rueda, who oil-and-gas clients have turned to for counsel for more than 30 years; and Tomás Lanardonne, who leads the firm’s prolific Neuquén office and has a long track record in oil-and-gas transactional and regulatory matters. Further partner back-up is provided by public law specialist Juan Cruz Azzarri; Jimena Vega Olmos, who specialises in oil-and-gas law, government contracts, and project financing; and recently promoted partner Marcos Blanco, who covers oil-and-gas, project finance, M&A, and dispute resolution matters. Former associate Valeria Celesti exited to an in-hous role in August 2024.

Following its 2020 tie-up with leading oil-and-gas and energy boutique Alliani & Bruzzon, Bomchil has consolidated its position as one of the most accomplished legal teams in the sector. The firm covers all stages of the oil-and-gas supply chain, including exploration, production, transportation and refining, and handles a mix of dispute resolution, regulatory and transactional work for clients active in the industry. Practice head Pablo Alliani has more than three decades' industry experience and is an influential voice in international oil-and-gas industry bodies. Fernando Brunelli brings additional heavyweight industry experience and is sought out for assistance on oil-and-gas bidding rounds, transactions and contractual matters. Energy disputes and regulation partner Cristian Galansky adds further heft to the senior line-up. The practice also benefits from Bomchil’s full-service offering, and is able to draw on the expertise of banking partner Fermín Caride, and dispute resolution and public-law focused María Inés Corrá when required.

Bruchou & Funes de Rioja is sought out by domestic and international oil-and-gas clients for its deep expertise in sector-specific regulatory and commercial matters. The firm is a regular presence on big ticket M&A transactions in the industry and has played a high-profile role in in supporting clients that have driven the upstream development of the Vaca Muerta shale oil fields. Other active areas for the practice include unconventional hydrocarbon development, liquefied natural gas infrastructure project work and energy transition. The practice is led by industry reference Javier Rodríguez Galli who has an exceptional oil-and-gas track record across transactional and operational matters. Corporate and M&A partner Santiago Balbi is another key partner name and is frequently called in to lead on oil-and-gas transactions. The well-reviewed Nicolás Dulce, who was raised to the partnership in 2024, is also active on M&A deals in the sector.

Marval O’Farrell Mairal has played a key role in the evolution of Argentina’s oil-and-gas sector over the years and is particularly noted for its transactional prowess and consistent involvement in the biggest, most important deals in the industry. The team is equally accomplished when it comes to assisting with oil-and-gas related disputes, and actively supports clients throughout the entire hydrocarbons supply chain, advising on exploration and production matters as well as midstream and downstream work. Natural gas is a particularly strong area, with the firm known for is expertise in natural gas exportation, and associated customs, taxation and pricing matters. Energy transition and decarbonisation work is also regularly handled. The outstanding oil-and-gas veteran Francisco Macías is widely recognised for his impressive oil-and-gas M&A track record and leads the team, with invaluable expertise and support provided by of counsel Arturo Pera, who has worked in the industry for more than four decades, including a spell as the legal director of Total. Banking and energy-focused Agustina Ranieri, who was recently raised to the partnership, is another key team member; as is regulatory, energy and litigation partner Soledad Riera.

Baker McKenzie supports upstream and downstream oil-and-gas clients with transactional and regulatory advice, and is comfortable working along the length of the supply chain, including exploration and production, services, distribution and trading. The team is particularly active in the offshore drilling segement, handling a mix of work including permitting, bid submissions and seismic surveys. It also supports international oil-and-gas services operators on contractual and reorganisation matters, leveraging the global network of its parent to provide detailed advice and industry insight. The practice is co-led by Adolfo Durañona, who focuses on commercial deals, transactions and new projects in the upstream segment; and accomplished M&A partner Roberto Grané. Mining, energy, and infrastructure partner Ezequiel Artola is active in the energy transition space, with Delfina Ferrario the main contact at associate level.

Beccar Varela advises an international client base on exploration, upstream, downstream and offshore oil-and-gas projects, and is particularly well-known for its transactional and contractual work, assisting clients with EPC contracts, M&A, joint ventures and production sharing arrangements. The practice is also called in to handle environmental regulation, financing and land use matters. The team is co-led by the vastly experienced José Carlos Cueva, who has been practicing energy law since the 1980s; banking, M&A and natural resources veteran Roberto Fortunati; electricity and energy expert Ricardo Castañeda, who previously led the YPF Luz legal department; and project finance and M&A partner Pedro Silvestri.

Mitrani Caballero & Ruiz Moreno Abogados is an active player in oil-and-gas transactional matters, and assists with the structuring of upstream oil-and-gas assignments, farm-outs, joint ventures and downstream corporate M&A. The team is also sought out to advise on the development of oil-and-gas infrastructure and pipelines along with associated financing arrangements, and also represents clients before national and provincial governments in bids for various oil-and-gas concessions and permits. The team is led by respected energy law expert Mariana Ardizzone, who works closely with versatile banking and M&A lawyer Julio Martínez; and experienced oil-and-gas practitioner María Recondo, who previously held in-house positions at YPF and Tecpetrol. The practice can also draw on vast industry experience of administrative law veteran Horacio Ruiz Moreno, who has acted for several large oil-and-gas companies as statutory controller during his long career; as well as the transactional nous of M&A partners Diego Parise and Aixa Sureda, who regularly handle financing and transactional work for oil-and-gas clients.

Nicholson y Cano Abogados complements its established expertise in traditional energy markets with a growing energy-transition and renewables practice. The firm has been an active player in the development  of joint venture and financing structures to support investors and operators in Argentina’s burgeoning shale-gas industry and advises clients on upstream, midstream and downstream oil-and-gas projects. On the green energy side, the firm handles green hydrogen, carbon capture, and critical earths matters, and works closely with the firm’s environmental law team in these segments. The practice is co-led by influential oil-and-gas partner Nicolás Perkins, who has amassed vast industry experience from various senior in-house roles; and Mariana Guzian, who is sought out for her expertise in renewable energy projects and structuring oil-and-gas joint venture arrangements.  Experienced partner Marcelo Lamesa is another key name and has advised energy clients on a wide-range of exploration, production, transportation and marketing matters for more than 30 years; with fellow partner Miguel Blaquier focusing on exploration and production-related work. The team can also turn to outstanding environmental law expert Horacio Payá, and human rights law specialist Alfredo Vítolo, when required.

O'Farrell is best known for its public law, dispute resolution and electricity expertise, and calls on partners from these practice areas to support oil-and-gas clients with advice on regulation, permitting, tariff reviews, bid processes, M&A and contentious matters. The team handles a mix of upstream, downstream and logistics work, and is also sought out by clients involved in unconventional hydrocarbons projects – indeed, it is an active presence in the Vaca Muerta shale-gas region. The practice is co-led by the vastly experienced M&A, regulation and litigation veteran Uriel F. O'Farrell; Agustín Siboldi, whose practice covers exploration, production, distribution and commercialisation work; and public law partner Agustina Fanelli Evans. Since the conclusion of research, the firm has announced a significant new hire with the return of former of counsel Jorge Luis Ariza, whose recent in-house experience includes four years at Pan American Energy; a specialist in energy, energy regulations and major project structuring, he returns as a partner - effective as of October 2024.

Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen works with domestic and international oil-and-gas companies on a range of regulatory and transactional matters. The firm has been a particularly influential stakeholder in the development and growth of the Vaca Muerta shale formation, assisting with the drafting process to amend hydrocarbons legislation, as well as the structuring of innovative joint venture deals between national oil-and-gas players and multinational oil companies. The practice also has an established presence in the oil-and-gas infrastructure space, handling matters related to transnational gas pipelines and LNG terminals. Regulatory and permitting issues are also covered. The outstanding oil-and-gas veteran Francisco Romano has decades of industry experience, including a spell in-house at Chevron; he co-leads the practice alongside Alan Arntsen, who is regularly sought out to advise on energy and infrastructure M&A and financings. The team can also call on the experienced Mariano Grondona, a key player in electricity sector; versatile transactional partner Tomás Pérez Alati; and environmental law specialist Nicole Jaureguiberry.

Abeledo Gottheil Abogados is best known for its expertise in oil-and-gas disputes and is sought out for advice on complex commercial and international arbitrations, as well as domestic contentious matters. The team also handles transactional work in the sector, providing due diligence and antitrust support. The practice is co-led by Hernán Martín Oriolo, who has advised on big ticket oil-and-gas M&A for more than 20 years and is highly experienced in arbitration and litigation in the industry; and Sergio Porteiro, who covers energy regulation and contractual matters. The team can also call on the expertise of vastly experienced oil-and-gas veteran Luis Erize; with senior Florencia Buczak - who provides arbitration, litigation and legal advice to oil-and-gas companies - the primary contact at associate level.

Best-known for its excellent mining practice, Allende & Brea is also established in other natural resources industries, with oil-and-gas a key focus area. The team advises clients in the sector on tax, environmental law, contracts, M&A and financing matters. Mining rainmaker Florencia Heredia leads the team, with other key practice members including cross-border transactional and financing partner Marcos Patrón Costas; and senior associate Agostina Martinez, who covers international oil-and-gas law and contractual matters.

Bazán Cambré & Orts is an energy boutique with an international oil-and-gas client base that turns to the firm for support on transactional, regulatory and contentious matters. The practice is particularly well-known for its focus on upstream oil-and-gas work and oilfield services. Nicolás Dilernia is well-versed in industry-specific contractual, corporate and regulatory matters; and Leandro Orts handles work involving the commercial aspects of oil-and-gas law. The firm can also turn to the highly-regarded oil-and-gas veteran Mario Orts, who has decades of industry experience and is frequently called on to provide expert witness testimony for international arbitrations. Former corporate partner Maria Victoria Tiscornia, known for her expertise in oil-and-gas contracts, has left the firm for an in-house role at natural gas company CGC.

Pozo Gowland Abogados is particularly well-known for its deep natural gas expertise, where is leverages the track record of its electricity department to align midstream and downstream gas producers and suppliers with distributors and grid operators. The firm also handles related infrastructure, construction and logistics matters, providing support across a range of legal disciplines, including regulation, environmental compliance, and judicial and administrative proceedings. The practice is co-led by Héctor Pozo Gowland, an administrative and regulatory law specialist; and Ramón Zubiaurre, an energy and litigation-focused partner. Francisco Pozo Gowland, who specialises in administrative law and the regulation of public services; and corporate all-rounder Gonzalo Torres, are the other key contacts.

The small department at Salaverri, Burgio & Wetzler Malbran acts at all stages of the oil-and-gas industry: upstream, midstream and downstream - primarily regarding administrative (particularly contentious) and transactional matters. It also has particular niche expertise in cross border hydrocarbons integration matters between Argentina and Chile. Administrative specialist Santiago García Mira focuses on economic regulation and energy law, and has vast experience in both federal litigation and (primarily international) arbitration. Raised to the partnership in January 2024, Santiago Freyre is a public law specialist who has handled a number of proceedings on behalf of Chilean clients in conflicts related to Argentine natural gas exportation and transportation issues; he is also involved in virtually all of the firm's transactional caseload in the sector, including capital markets work, financings and M&A.